11/24/2007, Aukland Harbour, New Zealand
9500 Nautical Miles. Mostly Harmless has crossed the Pacific Ocean From Vancouver to Auckland concluding a 6-1/2 month nautical adventure.
From becalmed in the Pacific high to gales in the Southern Ocean. It's been one hell of a journey for the skipper, crew and boat.
We've visited 7 Island Nations in 4 times zones. Hawaii, Kiribati, French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Niue, Tonga and now New Zealand.
I'm writing this, is a busy caf? on the Auckland Waterfront. Auckland is the biggest city since leaving Vancouver. This will be, most likely, the final stop for Mostly Harmless under my command. She is tied up to a dock in Westhaven Marina with a For Sale sign on her bow. I have very mixed feelings about putting the boat up for sale, given that we've only made it the first third around the world. Should I keep going? Should I sail back home though the Pacific? Should I cash out and take a plane home to windward? Hard questions to answer.
In the mean time, with the Hurricane season in the south pacific, I'm going adventuring through New Zealand by land.
As I lock up the boat for the next few weeks, I have to say a special thanks to people that helped me get here safely. Tyler; my crew for the desolate North Pacific. Vanessa; my crew for the beautiful South Pacific. Peter; my crew for the wild Southern Ocean. Most of, thank you to my wonderful Parents, Family and Friends that supported me through the Ocean Journey.
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11/14/2007, 275 NM north of Kiwi Land
We've been on the water for 12 days and we still have at least 3 days to go! (The hole trip is normally a 7-9 day sail)
So far we've had 3 days of no wind, followed by a 4-day gale (involving a 300NM detour around the "Dangerous Quadrant"). Now we are into our third day of tacking into head winds and lumpy seas.
Autopilot packed it in last night trying to drive the boat straight into 28 knots of wind and 15' seas. We had to hand steered all night. Installed the old backup autopilot this morning and should be okay for a few days if the wind stays light.
Peter and I dying to get off this boat. It looks like a boom went off inside after 7 days of 15'+ seas.
Come on Mostly Harmless! You can get us there! Just 3 more days!
Interesting fact #1: A C&C 40 will do 8.25 knots of sustained boat speed powered only by a storm jib reaching across 38 knots of wind. Fun Fun.
Interesting fact #2: There are a dozen boats within 150 miles of us that left the same day from Tonga. There is a daily radio net run by a boat a few miles away. Every morning we call in to share our misery and weather frustrations with the rest of the pack around us.
Yes I'm bitter. I'll get better. Solution will be shower, shave, sleep and suds in order of opportunity.
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11/11/2007, 450 NM from Whangarei
Like the title says, that nasty low that we were trying to avoid has passed by... unfortunately, it got pushed further north than predicted by a high east of NZ... and got pushed right into us... ended up sailing on the stormjib alone in winds up to 38 kts. made for a fairly rough night last night, but vessel and crew survived just fine.
Currently taking the left-over seas on the bow (1-2m chop on top of a 3-4m swell)... making typing somewhat difficult ;^)
Temperatures are getting slightly lower now; actually needed to sleep with a blanket on last night. :^/
Morgan & I have decided on our to do list when we get to port:
1) Shower 2) Find a pub that serves Guinness. Enjoy a couple of pints. 3) Steak and lobster dinner.
Really looking forward to all 3... =)
Hope all is well back home.
- Peter & Morgan
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